Where did FALL go??

Fall is my favorite time of year,but, I feel like I missed it this year!  I cannot believe Christmas is next week!   This past month has flown by.  I don't know how that's possible, though, when most days seemed like they would never end.  It has been so, so rough at times.   I'm thankful for these pictures because they remind me that is has also been beautiful...most of the time.   It's been one of these seasons of wondering why I do what I do...feeling like I'm messing everything up and it's beyond repair.  Wondering what's wrong with me.  Why can't I have compassion when I know I should?   When did I become the mom that yells?  I'm doing everything I tell my kids not to do.  Want to know what I sound like behind closed doors?  Listen to my kiddos.  It's great.  I hate that part.  Ugh. I've been critical, discontent, and unforgiving.  It's been one of those seasons of being reminded that I can't do this on my own.  Adoption...totally beyond me!  Homeschooling...oh boy...what am I thinking?  I've had to repent and ask my gracious savior for forgiveness.   I've had to apologize to my kids more times than I can count.   Both have been beautifully loving.   I've been humbled.  I'm thankful for that.   I've had my eyes off of HIM and it feels so good to surrender everything and know that He is able.   I can trust Him with my children and their precious little hearts.  Nothing with Him is beyond repair and He can use ANYTHING for good.   I am a work in progress and I know that will never end.  I'm just so thankful for grace and that God brings so much undeserved beauty into my life.  He is truly good. 

Buggy Buffet

On Thursday we headed to Knoxville and spent the entire day downtown.  We started out at the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's Young People's Concert.  It was amazing, as usual.  This year was even more special because they had a West African dance team from a local high school.   Our kids were so excited!   After that, we headed over to the Museum of Art.   They have a new kid's section with a giant Lite Brite.  They could have played with that all day. 

The last thing on the agenda was the Buggy Buffet at the Entomology Dept. at UT.   This was our first time going.   It was very....interesting.   I am not ashamed to say that I did not try a single thing.   My kids, however, shocked me!   They all tried a lot of stuff.   I think Ethan ate everything that was gluten-free...and probably some stuff that wasn't.   The rest of the kids all ate several different bugs.   On the buffet they had weevil soup, cricket loaf, chocolate crickets, mealworm crackers, cricket muffins, ants on a log, and much more.  

Besides the food, there was so much cool stuff for the kids to check out and learn.   They had some amazing insects displayed.   They kids were definitely inspired!

Here's a little video of them trying some of the foods:

Ethan also wrote about this over at  the kids' blog.